RÜFÜS DU SOL’S HARD KOMBUCHA, MATE MAKER, ARRIVES ON THE WEST COAST

MATE MAKER CO LAUNCHES IN AMERICA AND DEBUTS EXCLUSIVE NEW FLAVOR,
PINEAPPLE SUNDREAM

MATE MAKER IS NATURALLY CRAFT BREWED USING REAL AND ORGANIC INGREDIENTS

REAL FRUIT, REAL REFRESHING AND BREWED FOR A BETTER TOMORROW

Last year Grammy-Award winning, stadium headlining trio, RÜFÜS DU SOL and two lifelong ex-Diageo mates, teamed up to launch a new hard kombucha, Mate Maker Co, in Australia. With the band’s own shift towards moderation and mindfulness in mind, they set out to create a delicious beverage made from better ingredients, that gives those who choose to drink, the opportunity to ‘drink better’.

Today, Mate Maker, debuts in America, following Rufus’ own musical journey, by putting down roots in Southern California, a region that shares a deep kinship with Australia’s laid-back, beach-centric culture, and which the band, and Mate Maker’s fellow founders, have called home for close to five years. 

"We’ve been touring here as a group consistently for almost a decade now, and have been lucky enough to have been embraced by fans and to have been able to build a community around what we do here,” says Danny Robson – Co-Founder of Mate Maker and Artist Manager, RÜFÜS DU SOL. “The US is our second home because of the support of that community. We're thrilled to be able to bring this company and everything it stands for to the states, where the idea for it was first hatched on a highway in California.”

Mate Maker’s hard kombucha arrives in the US, gluten-free and vegan, and comes in three refreshing 6% ABV flavors, perfect for the summer; Mango Peach Smash, Blood Orange POG and Pineapple Sundream. Mate Maker previewed Pineapple Sundream in May at RÜFÜS DU SOL’s Sundream festival in Mexico, the perfect occasion to launch a drink with music in its DNA, that’s focused on celebrating amazing times with friends while giving consumers the choice to ‘drink better’ 

“Having a drink with friends at a gig, or at the beach, was a big part of our lives growing up,” says Jon George of RÜFÜS DU SOL. “As we've become more mindful about what we drink and how we operate on tour, we wanted to create Mate Maker to give people the chance to drink something they know is made from simple quality ingredients.” 

Mate Maker hard kombucha is deliciously refreshing and crafted using only real fruit, organic green tea and simple ingredients you can pronounce. Transparency and simplicity are fundamental principles of the brand, which uses no artificial sweeteners, colors, flavors or hidden ingredients and is small batch brewed, vegan and backed by sustainable zero-plastic packaging. 

"It's no secret that alcohol consumption per capita has been declining for some time because consumers are embracing mindfulness and moderation in their choices,” said Justin Medcraft, Founder – Mate Maker Co. “This shift to drinking better, not more, is what drives us to create insanely tasty and refreshing drinks that you're proud to share with your mates. Because if  you choose to drink, why not drink something that's made with better ingredients, that's also better for the planet?"

Mate Maker is debuting in San Diego this summer, in partnership with Scout Distribution, which specializes in distributing craft beverages throughout the West Coast. 

"There is still a lot of head room for hard kombucha in Southern California, but it's a young and extremely dynamic category. You need a brand that resonates with the lifestyle of the core audience and the team to work tirelessly to get it in front of them. Mate Maker has both,” says Lisa Govenar – VP at SCOUT Distribution. “They have a great team, stand out flavors, and their experiences as global phenoms in the music industry bring something new and exciting to the market." 

Mate Maker’s BrewMaster, Josh Makler, is a long-time San Diego resident and a pioneer in the hard kombucha category. 

Mate Maker launches in San Diego with multiple on-premise locations serving draft, and retailers across the region carrying canned six packs.

Tasting Notes:


Mate Maker Mango, Peach Smash:

Golden hour captured in a can. This full flavor bevvy of amazingness captures the tropical collision of mangos and peaches with the citrus splash of lemon to create the perfect drink for kicking back with your mates this summer. 

Mate Maker Blood Orange P.O.G:

Dive into this tropical party wave that combines real Passionfruit and Guava with Blood Orange for a new spin on a Hawaiian classic that's the ultimate beachside sipper. 

Mate Maker Pineapple Sundream: 

With every sip of Sundream you’ll be transported to the warm tropical shores of Mexico where its rich and diverse culture has inspired this refreshing tropical beverage. This hard kombucha draws its influence from tepache, a traditional Mexican beverage made from fermented pineapples and regional spices that has been shared between friends and family for centuries. 

MATE MAKER

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IMAGINE MUSIC FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES PHASE TWO LINEUP FOR 2023 EDITION

Subtronics and Ganja White Night To Play First Ever Back To Back Festival Set

Additional Phase Two Artists Include Sofi Tukker (Hybrid Set), Elderbrook, Kai Wachi, Marauda, Mersiv, Kasablanca, Slander Presents: Before Dawn, Barnacle Boi, Brothel, Deeper Purpose, Matt Sassari, Nostalgix, Telykast, Tripp St., Dangeruss, Djedi, Modapit, Ruvlo

Full Lineup Featuring Big Gigantic, Chris Lake, Dab the Sky, Dillon Francis b2b Knock2, Dom Dolla (Sunset Set), Jade Cicada, John Summit, NGHTMRE b2b Diesel, Rezz, Slander, Svdden Death: Into The Inferno, Vintage Culture, And More

Returning to Kingston Downs, Georgia from September 14-17

Imagine Music Festival, the Southeast’s most immersive electronic festival, has announced the phase two lineup for its 2023 edition returning to Kingston Downs, GA from September 14-17. These additions  create the artist lineup for one of festival season’s most anticipated experiences, where interactive adventure meets world class electronic music headliners, unique art installations, wellness programming, and a vibrant fan community at one of  the World’s most scenic camping venues.

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Imagine’s foundation continues to be rooted in curating world class electronic music lineups year after year, with the 2023 edition presenting its most powerful offering to date. Over four days and nights, attendees will be treated to over 100 artists spread across four stages.

With its phase two lineup, Imagine takes its already stellar collection of back to back sets to another level, adding a first ever b2b festival set from iconic bass music producers Subtronics and Ganja White Night. In addition to their headlining set, Slander Presents: Before Dawn will see the Gud Vibrations label heads play a second techno-flavored set. Other phase two highlights include a Hybrid Set from energetic jungle-pop and house duo Sofi Tukker, live acts such as multi-instrumentalist Elderbrook and production duo Kasablanca, rising house hitters Nostalgix, Deeper Purpose, and Matt Sassari, the hard-hitting sounds of Marauda and Mersiv, and sentimental electro pop duo Telykast among others.

This comes in addition to a lineup already led by some of the scene’s most celebrated names like HypnoVision label head Rezz, Black Book Records boss Chris Lake, floor-filling tech house sensation John Summit for an Off The Grid takeover, and a Sunset Set from Australian tech house king Dom Dolla. Additional highlights include a special performance from dubstep icon Svdden Death: Into The Inferno, the inimitable live multi-instrumentalist duo Big Gigantic, emotionally-charged producers Dabin and Said The Sky’s collaborative Dab the Sky, star Brazilian producer Vintage Culture, and the transcendent productions of Jade Cicada.

In true Imagine fashion, fans can expect a slew of rare back to back sets they won’t be able to see anywhere else. These head to head throwdowns include Dillon Francis and bass music breakout Knock2, the heavier frequencies of NGHTMRE and Diesel aka the larger than life Shaquille O’Neal, and HE$H teaming with Level Up for a bass and dubstep floor shaker.

Imagine has always been an incubator for artists who have risen from the ranks of Atlanta’s electronic music scene and those of its surrounding states. Among the highlighted local acts are Monstercat’s Leah Culver, American techno upstart Sam Wolfe, underground bass producer Meduso, multi-genre producer Subrinse, Terminal Underground’s Galo, Purified Records’ JD Farrell and many more acts from around the region.

Fans can also join Imagine’s Thursday Pre-Party takeover by emerging star ISOxo for one of the first exclusive performances of the rising producer's debut album 'kidsgonemad!' hosted by Brownies & Lemonade and featuring additional performances from Ninajirachi, Squired, Stooki Sound, Villa, and a live set from dance trio Wavedash. This year for the first time, the party will be exclusive for all campers with early arrival.

Pool Parties will be held Saturday and Sunday featuring sets from Dombresky’s Disco Dom alias and Never Dull on Saturday. In addition, the heavier bass frequencies of Kai Wachi and Ruvlo will take over on Sunday. Renowned record label Monstercat, Brownies and Lemonade, and John Summit’s Off The Grid will also host their own stage for the first time at the festival.

With its combination of undisturbed woodlands, sprawling grass fields, nature trails, and riverfront access, last year’s newly debuted venue location of Kingston Downs proved to be the ideal match for Imagine’s creative utopia. The family-owned and operated 5,000+ acre property is situated on the Etowah River, conveniently located a few miles outside of Rome, GA, and just 45 minutes north of metro Atlanta. It’s the perfect setting for festival goers to chart their own adventure, where opportunities to explore are boundless.

Immersive entertainment and thought provoking experiences await Imagine’s dedicated community and new-comers alike. Attendees can get lost in transformative workshops focused on topics like yoga, flow arts, meditation, consciousness, mindfulness, art, and more. Fans can also check out on-site art from visionary artists, live painters and muralists, participate in outdoor games and activities like cornhole, witness the visual spectacle of cirque acts, and grab food and refreshments from some of the best local festival food and nationally touring vendors.

In Madeleine Goodhand, Co-Founder of Imagine Festival’s own words, “Imagine Festival was founded with a simple but powerful belief – that through the transformative power of music, art, and community, we can ignite the imagination and inspire positive change in the world where our dreams become a reality. It’s a celebration of creativity, diversity, and possibility, and I am constantly in awe of the incredible energy and passion that our attendees bring to the event. Together, we are building a vibrant community, one beat, one brushstroke, and one moment at a time."

For those who want the most extraordinary Imagine Festival experience - look no further than Imagine’s VIP and PLATINUM level ticket options. With VIP, fans can enjoy the luxury of expedited entry, premium restrooms, shaded VIP areas, and exclusive vendors. Additional VIP Areas include the Oceania VIP Club, Mermaid Lounge, VIP Pool Access and more. The PLATINUM VIP Pass takes the elevated experience even further, with a newly added perk of unlimited access to the Platinum Viewing Deck featuring an open bar with complimentary hors d'oeuvres and drinks all weekend long.

GA, VIP, and PLATINUM ticket tiers are available now at www.imaginefestival.com. Fans can also purchase various camping options including GA CAR, VIP CAR, and PREMIUM which includes RVs, Pre-Set Tents, Hotels and Shuttles. Other add-ons include the Thursday Early-Arrival and Pre-Party Pass, Saturday and Sunday Pool Party passes, and Parking passes.

Imagine Music Festival is an 18+ event.

BLACK MUSIC COLLECTIVE DEEP ROOT RECORDS ANNOUNCES PRIDE PARTIES

UNDERGROUND QUEER TALENT TO TAKEOVER 2 EPIC BOAT PARTIES ON JUNE 25

Black dance music collective, Deep Root Records, which doubles as the record label run by internationally renowned DJ/producer Francis Mercier, has amassed a host of NYC’s underground queer nightlife communities to celebrate Pride with a massive day-into-night doubleheader party on Sunday, June 25. 

The two DeeperLove Yacht Parties will take place aboard the Jewel Yacht, a spacious, multi-floor vessel that will be complete with stunning views of the Brooklyn Bridge, the Statue of Liberty, and the beautiful New York City skyline. 

The first voyage, which will set sail at 1:00 PM, will feature a lineup curated by celebrated NYC selector Dada Cozmic. She’ll be joined by co-headliner and Body Hack resident Archangel, as well as Arrebato’s Undocubougie, Social Work’s Purp, and S’aint Panic. Returning at 5:00 PM, the Jewel will then embark on a sunset cruise at 6:00 PM, soundtracked by another elite team of DJs, including acid house mad scientist Biianco, forward-thinking producer Valentina Moretti (making her New York debut), Bina, E-mood, and Muse(O)Fire

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